The weekend’s Big Plant Sale celebrates the deep roots – 90 years strong – of St. James School in Highwood, but the annual event is under the shadow this year of being the last one.
Usually the event is a joyous coming-together of the community to support the school. Now, St. James is merging with Holy Cross School in Deerfield.
“Over the last six weeks of school, we will have a series of events as we try to mark the end of an era,” said St. James Principal Mary Vitulli.
The plant sale runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. It could be continued by another organization in the parish, but is the last one for the school. The proceeds have been earmarked for the current school year budget.
Vitulli is in her second year as principal, but she’s been a member of the school community for more than two decades, first as a teacher and then as assistant principal. She has accepted a position at St. Patrick’s Parish in Wadsworth.
“It’s a tough time not just for the students and parents as you can imagine, but for the whole community,” she said. “Many of our parishioners are alums, the parents of students, or just supporters of the school. They have shared how difficult it is for them to see the closing of a school.”
Adding to the sense of finality is a rummage sale that will be held concurrently with the plant sale.
“We’ve been cleaning house,” Vitulli said, “going through the closets and basement and compiling a number of things we’ve stored over the years. There are quality items we would prefer to offer in a rummage sale instead of dump in a landfill.”
Included will be games, puzzles, toys, school and office supplies, and Christmas decorations, as well as bigger ticket items such as file cabinets, monitors and keyboards.
The school has scheduled an end-of-the-year celebration for May 30 that will include a reception with archival photographs and memorabilia unearthed during the housecleaning that could be obtained for a small donation, Vitulli said.
Thousands of invites have gone out to the school’s extended family — former pastors, principals, parents, alumni and students.
“This May 30th event is certainly one that will have a lot of meaning to those who have graced the doors of St. James School,” Vitulli said. “A special liturgy is being prepared for the 5:30 p.m. Mass with the parents and student choirs singing together.”
Finally, on the last day of school, June 10, there will be a candle ceremony and the eighth grade students will present the last class gift to the community.
All these events are a testament to St. James School’s legacy, Vitulli said.
More Top Picks Chest Freezer
“We have provided an academically strong, faith-based education to thousands of children … Each child, I believe, walks away with something that is uniquely meaningful to them. Time and again, we’ve had students come back to say that their years at St. James formed their faith and deep belief in God, and that their time spent at St. James was the foundation that helped them do well at the high school of their choice, whether that was a Catholic high school or our local Highland Park High School. It is most joyful and gratifying to hear students share successes they’ve had.”
Liebenson is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.